Sundays Message: The Heart of God, Luke 15:1-10

Every one of us carries a deep sense that we were made for more: moments of purpose, beauty, or clarity that awaken a longing we can’t quite satisfy on our own.

C.S. Lewis called these moments “signals” pointing beyond this world, reminders that our lives were designed to be found in God.

Jesus captures this truth in the parable of the two sons (Luke 15:11–32):

The younger son walks away, convinced he can build a better life by himself. But that ends in disaster. When he finally decides to return home — expecting a lecture or punishment – he instead finds a father running toward him, embracing him, and restoring him. And then comes something even more surprising: a celebration; a feast; music and dancing.

This reflects the heart of heaven itself. Jesus tells us that there is rejoicing in the presence of God’s angels when even one person turns back to Him.

Our return to God isn’t met with reluctance or shame—it is met with joy, honour, and welcome. It is the restoration of the relationship we were designed to have.

The older brother reminds us that God’s welcome isn’t something we earn. The father goes out to him too, inviting him into the joy.

Whether we’ve wandered or stayed, the invitation stands: come into the circle and join in the celebration of God. This is what Lewis called the weight of glory – the solid, astonishing truth that God notices us, values us, and desires our good.

Every person we meet carries that same eternal significance, and our actions toward them matter. So as you walk into this week, remember:

• God’s welcome reflects His essential character.
• He paid the ultimate price to welcome you and I into the circle.
• Your deepest longings find their truest fulfilment in a relationship with Him.
• Every neighbour, colleague, friend, and stranger is a being of eternal significance to God